Muscat – The fifth edition of Cinemana International Festival kicked off in Musandam on Sunday and will screen over 150 films.

The festival, held under the patronage of H E Sayyid Saeed bin Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Culture in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, will run until January 31.

This year’s programme features a wide array of films from Oman and abroad, including Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, and the UAE.

Cinemana’s objectives include highlighting the cultural, tourism and economic significance of festivals. Over a four-day period, it will also host workshops focusing on various filmmaking aspects, such as scripting, cinematography, direction and editing.

Happy with the overwhelming response from both within and outside Musandam governorate, film director and media head Faiz Mohammad al Kindi said, “The festival’s goal is to foster a culture of cinema in Oman and to enlighten society about the role of cinema in cultural movements.

A highlight of this edition is the screening of ‘The Story of a Fort,’ directed by Sultan al Ahmad, narrating the history of Khasab Fort.

The opening ceremony on Sunday also saw the launch of Generations Cinema, an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. Headed by Dr Khalid bin Abdul Rahim al Zadjali, who is also director of the festival, the Generations Cinema team is a new chapter in the sultanate’s cinematic journey.

“The festival represents a significant advancement in the realm of film festivals, having started during a period marked by the global pandemic crisis. The choice of Musandam as the venue reflects its unique strategic and scenic appeal, ideal for both narrative and documentary filmmaking,” Zadjali said.

The festival not only provides a platform for showcasing a diverse range of films but also plays a crucial role in promoting the region’s scenic beauty and cultural richness as a backdrop for cinematic creations.